By: Vividhaditya

The year 2007, has been an eventful year for Himachal. It couldn’t have closed on a better note, with the BJP coming back to power, on the expected note. In the history of Himachal politics, no party has ever come to power in successive terms. As now, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal is back at the helm of affairs, we expect a lot more roads. He was popularly known as the “Sadakon wala mukhya mantri“. Roads are the veins of any state or country and let’s expect some more roads and metalling of roads. Also, high on the agenda should be water. Not only are the residents complaining about the shortage of water in important towns of Himachal, even the tourists are now shying away from Himachal during summers, and complaining how they had to depend on Bisleri. But they can’t have a bath with Bisleri.

At the same time, it’s time to mourn the death of environmentalist Kinkari Devi, who fought all her life for the environment and mining mafia. The leaders are all preparing obituaries for her but through out her life, she lived as a pauper. The government was least concerned. Let’s hope that more Kinkari Devis are born and they take the battle ahead.

HimVani, here culls, the ‘Top 40′ articles of the year. If you missed anything, it’s a chance to get a glance at it. The list shows, obviously, religion and politics are all time favourites. But interest in culture too has brought people to the website.

Also remember that the USP of HimVani has not been ‘NEWS’. Instead, it’s a think-tank and a heavily opinionated website. By opinionated, I mean, delivering ideas to the government and being a stake-holder in the development of the state. We’ve left the job of News to other media mediums, which are aplenty. But if we deem it important, we don’t shirk from carrying it. But we like to rip the News apart and make a difference. That’s what HimVani is all about.

At the same time, let me take this opportunity to thank all our Citizen Journalists. I won’t go into names, which I’ve reserved for HimVani’s second anniversary, which is not far away. Also, wishing you all a Very Happy New Year ahead.

Top 40 stories of 2007 (In order of popularity):

1Himachal Roadways: Time for a turnaround – 2
2Sorry you cannot buy land in Himachal [The article though was published in 2006, yet is at No. 2. This only shows the interest, people wanting to reside or own a home (or just a house) in Himachal.]
3Baba Balaknath: Faith renewed
4The sky road through Himachal
5What stammers my mother tongue?
6Bali on wrong side of media?
7Himachal missed the ‘God’s own country’ bus
8Himachal needs trees, feels state’s 1st info kiosk founder
9Shambala: A mythical land in Himachal; or is it in Tibet?
10Baddi vs Kala Amb
11ADR to track Himachal election candidates
12Ayurveda in Himachal
13Himachal poised: Impressions of an NRI
14Himachal BJP fields most candidates with pending criminal cases
15Will BSP eat into the BJP voter share in Himachal?
16The sacred grooves of Dodra-Kawar
17‘Himachal has potential to be IT state’
18Maha Kaal: Where life bows to death
19Himachal NRIs can watch The Blue Umbrella online
20Re-entry of brown poison in Kullu Valley, Himachal
21A South Indian’s tribute to the people of Himachal
22FM radio will open up ad inventory in Himachal
23Why does Himachal not count in national politics?
24Palampur: In the white lap of Himachal
25Brocolli revolution in Himachal; brothers from Mahunag show way
26Seabuckthorn brings new dawn for Lahaul
27My kind of exile
28HRTC 404: e-ticket not found
29Through the forsaken path: A trek to Parashar Lake
30Himachal minister Bali caught dancing on the wrong foot
31FM radio boom yet to reach Himachal
32Himachal gets passport office
33Medicinal plants: Nichar nursery leads the way
34The mythical/mystical Hatkoti
35HimVani on AIR Himachal Pradesh
36Bharmour: the crown of dawn
37A snapshot of Himachali languages
38Himachal on the tourist map: beyond tomorrow
39Kullu residents on night vigil against drugs
40Pahari nonsense: A few nuggets

🙂